1887: The infamous drought of 1886-1887 was broken in April with a three-inch rain. “The rain came in time to make corn, cotton and oats . . . and to fill the people’s hearts with joy.” The following year was one of above-average rainfall and many farmers produced enough to pay off their farms. Dallas Morning News Within months Stephenville “boosters” were printing brochures touting Stephenville as a paradise – at least until the drought of 1893.